2006 Racing Issue - UAW-Chrysler.com
2006 Racing Issue - UAW-Chrysler.com 2006 Racing Issue - UAW-Chrysler.com
Engines YOUR www.uawdcx.comStart 4 THE DAY BEFORE TOMORROW: 2006 NEXTEL CUP RULES CHANGES Don’t look for too many new Nextel Cup rules this season. Why? Because in 2007 NASCAR will debut its Car of Tomorrow, replacing current Nextel Cup designs with a single “uni-template.” The move will make Nextel Cup a true “spec” series in which all bodies, regardless of make and model, will have a common shape. At the outset of last season, talk centered on how NASCAR’s new gear rule, spoiler changes and impound procedure would affect competition. There’s less to discuss in 2006, but the few changes will be precedent setting. The most important new directive limits teams to a maximum of four cars, effective this season. That means multi-car “power teams” will have to jettison one or more drivers. And NASCAR has decreed that teams can test at only six specified tracks. New shock gas– pressure restrictions have also been imposed, along with a new rear shock absorber rule. — Eric Tegler WHERE THE ACTION IS TRACKS THAT HOST NASCAR’S 36 ANNUAL NEXTEL CUP RACES Track Length/miles Shape Track Length/miles Shape Atlanta Motor Speedway 1.54 Oval Bristol Motor Speedway .53 Oval California Speedway 2 D-Shaped Oval Chicagoland Speedway 1 Oval Daytona International 2.5 Tri-Oval Speedway Dover International Speedway 1 Oval Homestead-Miami Speedway 1.5 Oval Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5 Quad-Oval Infineon Raceway 1.95 Road Course Kansas Speedway 1.5 Tri-Oval Las Vegas Motor Speedway 1.5 Oval HEAD FIRST NASCAR requires each driver to wear a helmet, and most wear one of two types: a full-face helmet, which covers down to the chin, or an open-face helmet, which covers only the head. Each is designed to ward off debris and to minimize impact by displacing energy over the entire surface. To do that, helmets have layers that function in distinct ways. The outer shell is formed on a nickel base covered in a layer of gelcoat. Next comes a layer of resin — a special mixture of glass, carbon and other materials — that hardens to form the shiny outer surface. Then there’s a layer of energy-absorbing foam that lines the top of the helmet. The fitted layer closest to the driver is usually made of a flameretardant material that will not melt. Finally, before it gets the glamorous paint job you see on the track, each helmet is tested to make sure that it can withstand 300 times the force of gravity. — Carrie Frederick Lowe’s Motor Speedway 1.5 Quad-Oval Martinsville Speedway .53 Oval Michigan International 2 D-Shaped Speedway Oval New Hampshire 1.06 Oval International Speedway Phoenix International 1 Oval Raceway Pocono Raceway 2.5 Tri-Oval Richmond International .75 D-Shaped Raceway Oval Talladega Superspeedway 2.66 Tri-Oval Texas Motor Speedway 1.5 Quad-Oval Watkins Glen International 2.45 Road Course GETTY IMAGES
DODGE TAKES TWO Dodge roared into the motorsports spotlight in 2005 by capturing two major championships. Ted Musgrave took home his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title in the No. 1 Ultra Motorsports Mopar Dodge Ram. The win was also the first for team owner Jim Smith, one of the series founders. Also setting the pace last year was Gary Scelzi, who piloted the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Stratus R/T to the National Hot Rod Association’s Powerade Funny Car crown. The victory drove Dodge into the funny car record books for the first time since 1983. Test Your NASCAR Knowledge 1. What color strip across the rear of a racecar signifies a rookie driver? 2. The Charger was the first NASCAR racer to use what aerodynamic feature? 3. What full-time farmer won the first modern-era Winston Cup Series with a Dodge Charger? 4. The No. 88 Charger, which Buddy Baker drove at a record 200 mph in a closed-lap course, was often taken on what other kind of drive? 5. What is the official pace car of the 2006 ARCA RE/MAX Series? 6. What state has earned the nickname “NASCAR Valley”? — Saunders Robinson ANSWERS: 1. YELLOW; 2. A SPOILER; 3. RAY ELDER; 4. TEST-DRIVES FOR JOURNALISTS; 5. DODGE CHARGER; 6. NORTH CAROLINA (75 PERCENT OF ALL AMERICAN MOTORSPORTS EMPLOYEES WORK IN THE STATE) LIFE WITH A SNAKE Behind the wheel of the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe “Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.” Those words, from an ancient Indian philosopher, referred to politicians. But they remind me of Dodge’s Viper SRT10 Coupe. On the racetrack it is definitely potent, but I wondered what it would be like on the street. Would it be poisonous or merely pretend? The Viper Coupe builds on the solid foundation of the SRT10 Roadster. The fixed roof adds 15–20 pounds but increases chassis stiffness. Combine that with a taut suspension, and you might expect the Viper to ride poorly on the street. It doesn’t. Yes, you notice subtle road surface variations, but the ride is never harsh. The steering is quick and nicely weighted, the six-speed Tremec gearbox and clutch work better than I expected in traffic, and visibility is good for such a low-slung beast. Nothing too poisonous there. And yet, there is venom. With 510 horsepower and 535 pounds per foot of torque on tap (90 percent available above 1,500 rpm), how could it be otherwise? The power tempts you every time you push the starter button. Curves beckon. The Viper’s sheer muscularity intimidates many fellow drivers. Still, challengers give you the nod at every stoplight. This is one car that demands respect. Aside from antilock brakes, it offers no other electronic nannying. It takes discipline to drive this snake on the street. That’s a big part of the satisfaction it provides. The V10 engine roars, and crowds gather when you park. There’s simply no need to pretend. — Eric Tegler TOMORROW SPECIAL RACING 2006 5
- Page 1 and 2: 2006 SPECIAL RACING ISSUE LOOKING A
- Page 3: LOOKING AHEAD AT THE UAW-DAIMLERCHR
- Page 7 and 8: Fans attending the UAW-DC 400 at LV
- Page 9 and 10: WHAT CAN YOU HEMI? At the Chrysler
- Page 11 and 12: RACING FOR THE FUTURE Toledo’s Ju
- Page 13 and 14: &NOW Past and present: Richard Pett
- Page 15 and 16: “Now, the muscle Charger is comin
- Page 17 and 18: AN AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE HERITAGE Exp
- Page 19 and 20: Driven to Succeed What Mayfield and
- Page 21 and 22: JEREMY MAYFIELD PHOTO TO COME Don
- Page 23 and 24: RISING RACING STARS GETTY IMAGES Ev
- Page 25 and 26: Evernham drivers get unconditional
- Page 27 and 28: PRIDE ON DISPLAY American automakin
Engines<br />
YOUR<br />
www.uawdcx.<strong>com</strong>Start<br />
4<br />
THE DAY BEFORE TOMORROW:<br />
<strong>2006</strong> NEXTEL CUP<br />
RULES CHANGES<br />
Don’t look for too many new Nextel Cup<br />
rules this season. Why? Because in 2007<br />
NASCAR will debut its Car of<br />
Tomorrow, replacing current Nextel<br />
Cup designs with a single “uni-template.”<br />
The move will make Nextel<br />
Cup a true “spec” series in which all<br />
bodies, regardless of make and<br />
model, will have a <strong>com</strong>mon shape.<br />
At the outset of last season, talk<br />
centered on how NASCAR’s new<br />
gear rule, spoiler changes and<br />
impound procedure would affect <strong>com</strong>petition.<br />
There’s less to discuss in <strong>2006</strong>, but<br />
the few changes will be precedent setting.<br />
The most important new directive limits<br />
teams to a maximum of four cars, effective this<br />
season. That means multi-car “power teams”<br />
will have to jettison one or more drivers. And<br />
NASCAR has decreed that teams can test at<br />
only six specified tracks. New shock gas–<br />
pressure restrictions have also been imposed,<br />
along with a new rear shock absorber rule.<br />
— Eric Tegler<br />
WHERE THE ACTION IS<br />
TRACKS THAT HOST NASCAR’S 36 ANNUAL NEXTEL CUP RACES<br />
Track Length/miles Shape Track Length/miles Shape<br />
Atlanta Motor Speedway 1.54 Oval<br />
Bristol Motor Speedway .53 Oval<br />
California Speedway 2 D-Shaped<br />
Oval<br />
Chicagoland Speedway 1 Oval<br />
Daytona International 2.5 Tri-Oval<br />
Speedway<br />
Dover International Speedway 1 Oval<br />
Homestead-Miami Speedway 1.5 Oval<br />
Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5 Quad-Oval<br />
Infineon Raceway<br />
1.95 Road Course<br />
Kansas Speedway 1.5 Tri-Oval<br />
Las Vegas Motor Speedway 1.5 Oval<br />
HEAD FIRST<br />
NASCAR requires each driver to wear a helmet,<br />
and most wear one of two types: a full-face helmet,<br />
which covers down to the chin, or an<br />
open-face helmet, which covers only<br />
the head. Each is designed to<br />
ward off debris and to minimize<br />
impact by displacing<br />
energy over the entire surface.<br />
To do that, helmets<br />
have layers that function<br />
in distinct ways.<br />
The outer shell is<br />
formed on a nickel base<br />
covered in a layer of gelcoat.<br />
Next <strong>com</strong>es a layer<br />
of resin — a special mixture<br />
of glass, carbon and other materials —<br />
that hardens to form the shiny outer surface.<br />
Then there’s a layer of energy-absorbing foam<br />
that lines the top of the helmet. The fitted layer<br />
closest to the driver is usually made of a flameretardant<br />
material that will not melt. Finally,<br />
before it gets the glamorous paint job you see<br />
on the track, each helmet is tested to make<br />
sure that it can withstand 300 times the force<br />
of gravity.<br />
— Carrie Frederick<br />
Lowe’s Motor Speedway 1.5 Quad-Oval<br />
Martinsville Speedway .53 Oval<br />
Michigan International 2 D-Shaped<br />
Speedway<br />
Oval<br />
New Hampshire 1.06 Oval<br />
International Speedway<br />
Phoenix International 1 Oval<br />
Raceway<br />
Pocono Raceway 2.5 Tri-Oval<br />
Richmond International .75 D-Shaped<br />
Raceway<br />
Oval<br />
Talladega Superspeedway 2.66 Tri-Oval<br />
Texas Motor Speedway 1.5 Quad-Oval<br />
Watkins Glen International 2.45 Road Course<br />
GETTY IMAGES
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